"Overall a cozy, comfortable stay, but rigid policies & night staff need improvement
Overall, Via Hostel is a really nice, cozy, and comfortable place to stay. I especially appreciated having an all-girls room option as a solo traveler, and I didn't mind staying in a hostel environment at all.
However, guests should be aware that food options nearby are very limited—there are no supermarkets close by and nearby restaurants close early (around 10 PM). Since people stay out late in Amsterdam, this is tricky.
My main issue was with the night staff and kitchen policy. I bought takeaway food and asked reception about fridge access. A new receptionist working that afternoon kindly told me that although the kitchen technically closes at midnight, staff can open it briefly so I could grab my food. However, when I returned at 2 AM, a different night receptionist (who seemed like he’d been there a while) was extremely rigid, rude, and berating when I asked to fetch my food. He kept repeating "rules are rules" and refused to use basic common sense. Eventually, another receptionist stepped in, explained that the afternoon guy was new and had made a mistake, and made a quick exception so I could grab my food.
While I appreciate the supportive staff member who helped me, the interaction was unnecessarily frustrating. Given the lack of late-night dining nearby, management should reconsider the kitchen lock-out policy or move a guest fridge to an accessible area!"
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